Keep Employing Part 1s – A Plea!

News

At the end of 2025, as part of the preparation of JTP’s Business Plan, we reflect on the previous twelve months across a range of subjects. Amongst the numbers and analysis, there was one figure that stood out – one which is of concern to us and should be of wider concern to architects and the built environment industry.

For many years JTP has offered around 6 Part 1 placements. In 2025, we made the conscious decision to appoint 9 individuals at Part I level. Despite the markets looking uncertain at the time, we felt it was our duty to continue to commit to these roles.

What may or may not come as a surprise is the sheer number of applicants for these roles. In total, we received a staggering 2,600 applications, a number of which were from applicants who had not been able to secure a Part I placement the previous year, despite being talented individuals. I have no idea how my colleagues manage to filter this application mountain and identify the 9 exceptional candidates that we appointed.

The sheer scale of applications reflects the current dearth of placement and graduate opportunities across the industry. Indeed, this was highlighted by Toko Andrew’s excellent AJ article in December 2025.

I echo his sentiments and feel we are at a critical moment for the training of young architects as beyond the economic climate and reduced construction across all sectors. I believe there are other reasons why Part 1 placements are becoming increasingly less attractive to practices.

As a RIBA recognised practice, we are committed to the London Living Wage, and we appreciate the challenges of young people living and working in London. However, over the last two years the London Living wage has increased by 12%. Increasing Part I salaries by this amount has resulted in their salary bands being very close to the salaries of Part 2’s who with their greater experience may represent better value to practices. There is a threat that without conscious intent, Part 1’s are becoming less financially attractive to employ. We need to be mindful of this, whilst also recognising the fact that individuals should be fairly rewarded for the roles that they undertake.

At the same time, similar to many practices, we are embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. This is moving at pace and I’m not sure we all know the extent to which AI will change our industry, but the immediate trajectory is clear.

In my discussions with a number of Planning Consultants, they told me how their graduate intake had reduced in some cases from 6 roles to 1. Where previously a planning graduate would visit sites, visit council offices to review previous applications and policy, this information can now be gathered at the touch of a button through Google street view or AI rather than wading through dusty files. For architects, similar threats exist as those tasks often undertaken by junior staff and Part 1’s and are most at risk of replacement by AI. Currently, AI seems less of a threat to those with knowledge and years of experience.

But where are the architects and planners of the future to gain their experience, I ask?

I believe it is an industry imperative that we continue to train and give opportunities to the next generation of architects. This year at JTP, we will again (despite the challenging economic conditions) be offering our normal quota of Part 1 placements.

But if this commitment is to mean anything in the longer term, we have to confront the pressures that are making these opportunities harder to sustain. As we embrace AI, we must be careful not to use it in ways that quietly erode the very entry-level roles through which people gain their first experience in practice. Equally, while it is absolutely right that individuals are rewarded fairly, we must remain alert to the risk that changing economics make Part 1 roles easier to lose. These are not reasons to step back from training the next generation; they are reasons to be more deliberate about protecting the pathways into practice.

Rather than seeing all the above solely as an architectural concern, I would urge all of us across the built environment, Architectural Practices, developers, educational institutions and regulatory bodies, to reflect on the role we each play in supporting our new graduates. Because 2,600 applications for 9 places is not just a striking statistic; it is a signal that our industry risks failing a talented generation. Without the experience that placements provide, we jeopardise not only their futures but the long-term capability and diversity of our profession. So, my plea is not only to architectural practices. It is to the wider built environment: champion opportunities for graduates, and help create systems that truly support them into practice. If entry points into our professions continue to disappear, we are not just failing individuals, we are weakening the future of the industry itself.

– Marcus Adams, JTP Managing Partner